Stewart was a horrifically bad hitter (or should I say batter?) for the Yankees last season. And, for a guy whose calling card is his defense behind the plate, he had a ton of PB+WP relative to his playing time. Also, to be candid, he’s a guy who has no business being a regular catcher at the major league level – and maybe not even a case as a often used back-up guy.

But, he was somewhat easy to root for…sort of like seeing an everyday guy trying to play baseball at a high level. And, for sure, without question, no one could ever accuse him of using PEDs!

He worked hard when he was here and I wish him well in Pittsburgh. And, as bad as he was, I would still rather have him over Cervelli.

The White Sox will sign Cuban first baseman Jose Dariel Abreu for six years and $68MM, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez reports (on Twitter). The deal is pending a physical. Abreu is represented by Praver Shapiro Sports Management.

The Red Sox, Astros, Rangers, Marlins and Giants all reportedly showed interest in Abreu. The White Sox, however, were able to lure him with a contract that’s the biggest ever for an international free agent. The contract easily tops the seven-year, $42MM contract Yasiel Puig received from the Dodgers last year.

Derek Jeter has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right quadriceps injury, the Yankees announced on Friday.

The move was retroactive to July 12.

Jeter made his 2013 debut last Thursday but was pulled early after straining the quad. He missed the first 91 games of the season with a fractured ankle.

The Yankees were hoping Jeter would be able to play in this weekend’s pivotal series against the rival Red Sox. New York is in fourth place, six games behind AL East-leading Boston.

“It’s frustrating,” Jeter said in a statement last week. “I don’t know what else you want me to say. I worked hard to get to the point of rejoining the team yesterday. It’s not how you draw it up, but hopefully I’ll be back out there soon and help this team win some games.”

He’ll be eligible to return July 27 for a home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The team has called up infielder Brent Lillibridge from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

So, there’s a chance, at some time next week, that we can say Alex Rodriguez has played in twice as many games as Derek Jeter for the Yankees this season?

Almonte will make his major league debut by starting in the nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader, manager Joe Girardi said.

Almonte, 24, hit .297 with six homers and 36 RBIs in 68 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and will provide additional depth in the outfield. The Yankees like what they’ve seen offensively from Almonte.

“We really believe this kid’s going to hit,” Girardi said. “At times we really saw it in spring training. He struggled a little bit in spring training and maybe it was the excitement of making it a team, but he has [swung] the bat well down there, especially left-handed for him.”

The Yankees called up Almonte, as well as reliever/starter Adam Warren, after placing third baseman Kevin Youkilis and first baseman Mark Teixeira on the disabled list. By using the roster spots on an outfielder and pitcher, the Yankees are lacking bodies for the infield.

Girardi stressed that the team will have to be creative, mentioning that outfielder Thomas Neal has played first base before, and David Adams could be used again.

“With all of the injuries, you kind of have to do it and guys maybe have to step out of their comfort zone,” Girardi said. “They have been very willing.”

Manhattan-born and Brooklyn-bred Dellin Betances has been called up to the Bronx.

The once highly-touted righthanded starter who recently switched to relief was added to the Yankees’ bullpen before their game Thursday night against the Mariners, the team announced. Brett Marshall, who gave up five runs and threw 108 pitches in 5.2 innings during his MLB debut Wednesday night was sent down…

Man, this is going to be fun. There’s a lot of decisions to be made between today and Monday on both the Yankees 25 and 40-man rosters.

Do you have any predictions on who may be added or cut from both?

What happens with NRI’s Jayson Nix, Ben Francisco, Thomas Neal, Juan Rivera, Dan Johnson and Lyle Overbay? Has someone like Preston Claiborne or Josh Spence pitched their way on to the team? Someone else in the picture that we should be talking about in terms of coming or going? Has Ronnier Mustelier hit his way on to the team? Does Travis Hafner get a buddy pass on his rough spring? Is Brennan Boesch heading to the minors? Goodbye to Cody Eppley?

Just two days after being released by the Tigers, Brennan Boesch has landed with another 2012 playoff team. He has signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal — plus possible incentives — with the New York Yankees, reports CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman.

Boesch, 27, finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2010 and then hit .283/.341/.458 with 16 homers in just 115 games in 2011. But last season, he hit just .240/.286/.372 with 12 homers in 503 plate appearances. He struck out 104 times while walking just 26.

Worth mention here is that Boesch is left-handed and Yankee Stadium plays very favorable for left-handed power hitters. In 32 career plate appearances in Yankee Stadium, Boesch has hit .367/.375/.533 with a homer and six RBI.

Boesch has never played first base as a professional, but he gives the Yankees the chance to put Juan Rivera at first. The Yankees desperately need corner infield help with third baseman Alex Rodriguez likely on the shelf for the majority of the season and first baseman Mark Teixeira out for the first four to six weeks. They have Kevin Youkilis to play either corner, so another corner man is needed.

With Boesch able to play left field — alongside Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki until the also-injured Curtis Granderson can return — Rivera could be used at first.

Many Yankees fans seem to like this transaction.

So, here’s a little cold water for them. This is a guy who had an OPS of .659 last season. And, the Tigers RELEASED him because they couldn’t find ANYONE willing to give them a bag of balls in exchange for his services.

Look at the facts. This is a player who was so-so in the minors – reaching Double-A in 2009 at the age of 24. And, at that level, he struck out A LOT and hardly walked. (Not a good sign.) However, in 2010, in Triple-A, he got off to a hot start in a handful of games and carried that hot streak into the majors for two and half months. Then, the clock struck midnight.

From July 18th, 2010 through the end of last season, he’s played in 312 big league games with the BA/OBA/SLG line of .242/.297/.377 (in 1,108 AB).

The Yankees have acquired right-hander Shawn Kelley from the Mariners in exchange for outfielder Abraham Almonte, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune (on Twitter). The Mariners designated Kelley for assignment on Thursday to make roster space for Kelly Shoppach.

Kelley, 28, appeared in 47 games for the Mariners in 2012, posting a 3.25 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and a 28.8% ground ball rate in 44 1/3 innings. The right-hander will earn $930K in 2013.

Meanwhile, Almonte will give the M’s some much needed minor league depth at the centerfielder position and can also play the corners. The 23-year-old spent last season in Double-A, hitting .276/.350/.392 in 78 games.

Let’s hope this one works out better than the 1981 trade of Willie McGee for Bob Sykes…

The Cleveland Indians have signed first baseman-designated hitter Jason Giambi to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The Indians announced the signing Saturday, six days ahead of the team’s first full-squad workout.

The 42-year-old Giambi spent the past three-plus seasons filling a part-time role with the Rockies. The 2000 AL MVP was a mentor to younger players and he interviewed for Colorado’s managerial position this offseason.

Giambi could become the Indians’ DH, a role filled by veterans Jim Thome and Travis Hafner in recent years.

A five-time All-Star, Giambi has 429 homers – just one in 89 at-bats for Colorado last year – 1405 RBIs and a .280 average in 18 big league seasons with Oakland, the Yankees and Rockies. Known for his patience at the plate, Giambi has a career on-base percentage of .403.

The dude still gets on base. But, he’s 42 and the power is not what it used to be…

The A’s added another new piece to their infield on Monday, acquiring Jed Lowrie and right-handed pitcher Fernando Rodriguez from the Astros for first baseman Chris Carter, right-hander Brad Peacock and Minor League catcher Max Stassi.

The most interesting part of this trade, for me, is that it was a Billy Beane and Jeff Luhnow hook up. Always fun to see who out-smarts who there…

To be honest, I have been wondering about this for a while – pondering if the Yankees would make this move. It seems to make sense for both parties. But, if the Yankees are smart, they will limit Rivera to D.H. as much as possible. He’s a dog in the field. And, he’s a bit of a turd on the bases too.

Low risk, given the contract. And, I would not be shocked if he made the team.